This last Saturday, members of the ministry area council and our church councils gathered together to share the Good news that has been happening in the churches and to work on with Archdeacon Ian our vision for the next five years.
This was based on the diocesan five branches’ vision. It was a valuable time to gather together, get to know people we didn’t necessarily know and look to the future hopefully.
The outcome of this work was our five vision statements which you can find below. These will help guide us in our activity in the next year and into the future.
A Prayer for Growing Branches
Follow me, follow me
Disciples we will be,
We will never be alone
As we leave our comfort zone
May we do what God will ask
In our attitude and task.
Would Jesus ask of me
To love what I can see?
“Loving God”, who has us set
In a given place and, yet
To care environmentally;
Love widened to care globally.
God wants “love for neighbour”
Together we can labour,
For just exchange, and hopefully
In love and generosity;
As we encounter those we fight
May we love as best we might.
Help us each appreciate
The worth of those we meet,
Justly treating all they are,
Loving likeness, and to share
Their difference, finding equally
Mutual spirituality.
Joe Hasler March 2023